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Here’s what you to know before heading to Aldi

1. The store doesn’t accept manufacturer’s coupons

You won’t find many name brands at Aldi. Store brands are central to what keeps Aldi’s price so low, so it follows that the store has a no-manufacturer’s-coupon policy.

2. You’ll occasionally find a store coupon in the mail

If you live in a zip code where Aldi is opening a new store, watch your mailbox.

You’re likely to see a flyer that looks like this one show up in the days before the grand opening:

3. Be prepared to rent a cart when you get to the store…

…or a “buggy,” as it’s called in the Southeast!

A shopping cart rental costs a quarter, which you put directly into an attachment on the cart’s handle. Think airport luggage cart rentals and you’ll get the basic idea.

This is another way Aldi keeps prices low. They put the responsibility of rounding up and returning carts on customers. That means they don’t have to pay an employee to do the job.

4. Be prepared to bring or buy your own bags

You won’t be asked to choose between paper or plastic at the end of an Aldi checkout line, because bagging is optional.

Here’s what to expect: As your groceries are being rung up, the cashier will simultaneously stack them with little fanfare into a waiting cart. Then it’s up to you to bag your groceries if you wish, depending on how much stuff you buy.

Bags are offered for sale at checkout, but the smarter move is to bring your own reusable bags.

5. Some produce is now being sold by the pound

Much to the disappointment of savers, there’s a been a quiet change to the way produce is sold…

6. Your purchases are backed up by the Aldi double guarantee

A lot of shopping at Aldi is about trying out new products, particularly the German food imports and seasonal foods.